Detective’s Daughter Books In Order

Publication Order of The Detective's Daughter Books

The British author Lesley Thomson has been writing for a number of years now, having put out a variety of crime and thriller novels, as she’s known within her field largely for her gift of being able to combine both suspense and character seamlessly, giving her stories a unique and idiosyncratic feel to them. Growing up in Sussex in England, it’s no surprise that many of her stories have a distinctively British feel to them, in both their sense of ambiance and atmosphere, along with their use of location and where they are set. Knowing and understanding her audience has been a key and integral component in this as she has managed to simultaneously speak to them, whilst clearly holding a firm grasp upon the genre itself. All of this has also allowed her to create a variety of series and franchises over the course of her career as well, as they follow the arcs of various protagonists throughout each installment and release. One series to do this particularly well is that of her ongoing ‘Detective’s Daughter’ series of novels, which are definitely excellent examples of the genre. Set in West London, it follows one Stella Darnell, a daughter of a senior detective working within the Metropolitan police, as he’s spent many years upon the force, refining and honing his skills. Stella is a natural for detective work, given that she is able to immediately pick-up on all the various clues and can always get to the bottom of any case. Using her cleaning methods acquired over the years, she finds herself to be extremely adept at the profession of detection, as she unpeels the evidence getting through to the truth. Her father, Terry Darnell, had spent a lifetime on the police force, and could see a gift in his daughter, something which also progresses over the course of the series as a whole.

With over five books in the series so far and counting, this is a series that has a lot of room to continue expanding in the many years to come. Starting back in 2013 it has continued at a regular pace throughout the years, as she’s consistently maintained it keeping it going whilst amassing a worldwide following of fans globally. As the series itself grows from strength-to-strength this is expected to continue for some time yet, with Lesley Thomson showing no signs of stopping the franchise anytime soon, as the series carries on into the foreseeable future.

The Detective’s Daughter

Brought out through the ‘Head of Zeus’ publishing label, this was released to much acclaim back in 2013 on the 1st of May, setting up the first in the series of ‘Detective’s Daughter’ novels. Establishing both the style and the tone, it also manages to introduce all the characters for the first time as well, giving them all a personality and voice in the process. Not only that, but it also provides Stella with her initial gateway into this world of crime and detection, giving her her first case to investigate and solve.

Setting up the premise, this first title manages to introduce a lot of the core characters for the first time, along with where they are in life and where they’re going. Bringing in Stella Darnell, it introduces her for the first time as well, as it establishes her past, with her father’s background in crime, something which weighs heavily upon her. The location is also an essential component of the story, as it sees the area of West London being almost a character in of itself throughout the story.

One day Kate Rokesmith was brutally murdered after going down to the river leaving behind a husband and son, the husband going abroad to the suspicion of those around him, whilst the son was sent to boarding-school. This was a case that caught Terry Darnell’s attention throughout the childhood of Stella, something which she started to become increasingly resentful of. Some time later she is looking through the attic after her father’s passing and comes across his old case files, as she finds herself delving back into the unsolved mysteries of the past. Who really killed Kate? Can Stella solve the case her father never could? What will become of the detective’s daughter?

Ghost Girl

Released through the ‘Head of Zeus’ publishing house once again, this was released on the 10th of April in 2014, just one year after the first book. Marking the second title in the ongoing ‘Detective’s Daughter’ series of novels, it picks up from where the last one left off, providing another mystery for Stella Darnell to solve. Following on in much the same tone as before, it manages to provide readers what they’ve now come to expect from the series, with some extra twists and turns along the way.

Still attempting to overcome the death of her father one year later, Stella Darnell continues to clean his house under the impression he may one day return. Then, discovering in his old darkroom some seemingly forgotten case files, she comes across a thought to be long lost case that was never solved. Showing pictures of deserted streets from 1966 the case concerns one Mary Thornton, a ten year old child who is taking her little brother home and she witnesses something that will change her for life, this being the time the Moors Murderers were sent to prison for life. What did she see? Can Stella get to the bottom of this parituclar case? Who is the ghost girl?

The Detective’s Daughter Series

A well crafted and highly in-depth series, this franchise has taken a simple and basic premise and really expanded upon it, making it truly work in the process. Giving her main characters life, the lead protagonist of Stella Darnell is someone who readers will really find themselves being able to relate to, as she has been given a three-dimensional personality, allowing the audience to root for her all the way. With its timeless quality this is a series that is an excellent example of the genre and will continue to be so for many years to come, as its audience continues to grow for some time yet.

2 Responses to “Detective’s Daughter”

1. Joanne Okita: 3 years ago

   Is there a book 9 in the Detective’s Daughter series?

   Reply
   • Graeme: 3 years ago

     Not at this time. The author did just release a new book The Companion which is a standalone novel. I don’t believe it is available in the USA yet unless you import it from UK.

     Reply